Posted on 12/27/2012 4:31:56 PM PST by Wisconsinlady
Edited on 12/28/2012 4:45:17 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
WASHINGTON – Truth is, retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf didn't care much for his popular "Stormin' Norman" nickname.
The seemingly no-nonsense Desert Storm commander's reputed temper with aides and subordinates supposedly earned him that rough-and-ready moniker. But others around the general, who died Thursday in Tampa, Fla., at age 78 from complications from pneumonia, knew him as a friendly, talkative and even jovial figure who preferred the somewhat milder sobriquet given by his troops: "The Bear."
That one perhaps suited him better later in his life, when he supported various national causes and children's charities while eschewing the spotlight and resisting efforts to draft him to run for political office.
He lived out a quiet retirement in Tampa, where he'd served his last military assignment and where an elementary school bearing his name is testament to his standing in the community.
Schwarzkopf capped an illustrious military career by commanding the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait in 1991 -- but he'd managed to keep a low profile in the public debate over the second Gulf War against Iraq, saying at one point that he doubted victory would be as easy as the White House and the Pentagon predicted.
Schwarzkopf was named commander in chief of U.S. Central Command at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base in 1988, overseeing the headquarters for U.S. military and security concerns in nearly two dozen countries stretching across the Middle East to Afghanistan and the rest of central Asia, plus Pakistan.
[excerpt]
RIP Sir! You were a true Patriot and Honorable Soldier. You will be missed.
Godspeed, General, RIP
One of the things I admired most about him was that he rode off into the sunset and avoided politics.
Money quote of the year.
I remember him answering some question by mentioning Alexander the Great’s tactics at Arbela if that is spelled right. It seemed he knew his military history.
I also recall a briefing where he showed “the luckiest man in Iraq”, where a vehicle drove right through the cross hairs of a guided bomb and passed just in time to miss it.
“What a great man and great leader. I always liked him. I think just about everyone did.”
EVERYONE did like him!
My sister wrote me while I in served in the Persian Gulf War (Ops Desert Shield and Desert Storm).
She wrote that my late mother, who was then aged 66, had tremendous “crush” on the General.
I can hear Ma now in her thick Boston accent: “He’s so handsome and smart!”
Prayers will be lifted for you tonight General. RIP and God Bless You and Your Family.
My mother saw him give an interview after the gulf war with a tear in his eye as he talked about sending his troops into battle. She told me “That is a real man.” He will surely be missed.
RIP Stormin’ Norman!
A grateful nation thanks you. Fair Winds and Following Seas, General Schwarzkopf. I will get to shake your hand when I see you, if I am fortunate.
RIP General! You are missed already.
This American salutes you General. Rest in Peace sir.
A HUGE loss! He proved that military leadership could take care of the troops and STILL get the mission completed, with minimal casualties and time. THIS has hit me square in the chest, THIS man...this leader, I would’ve followed to hell and back. I can only hope that many in leadership positions have learned from him.
I served with the General when he commanded I Corps. I’ve never seen a man with such a degree of command presence. When he walked into the room there was no doubt who was in charge.
Godspeed Sir. “Salute.” You will be sadly missed.
I served with the General when he commanded I Corps. I’ve never seen a man with such a degree of command presence. When he walked into the room there was no doubt who was in charge.
I think you’re on the right track there.
I was surprised to find out just now, that he lived in Iran when he was 12 years old.
He evidently had a very good grasp of the Middle East that went beyond book learning.
It was completely meant as a salute to this great General, which apparently completely slipped by you.
Or, haven’t you heard about the homofication of our once-great military?
RIP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.